5 Things I Hate About Traveling Long-Term in South America

Earlier this month I wrote about 5 things I love about living and traveling long term in South America. Let’s be honest though; moving to a new continent, a new culture is not always sunshine and rainbows. Here are some of the things I have grown to hate after living and traveling in South America for two years.

Street Harassment

Moving to South America, I have learned to endure a completely different level of street harassment. Catcalls here are non-stop. The men have no problem getting right in my face to call me “linda, linda” and it’s not just young boys who do it. The other day I had a man, clearly in his 60s, catcall me as I walked down the street and follow me for half a block. It’s even more unnerving considering I’ve been robbed by men, acting just like that, twice. They don’t see it as a problem and the women here ignore it for the most part but one of these days, I swear, I’m going to snap and slap someone.

Getting the “Gringo Price”

It’s different when I’m traveling. I have extra money and I can afford to pay more than the locals so when I get a price a bit higher than the price I know is right, I usually don’t fight it too much. Living and traveling long term in South America though, I have begun to really hate the double standard. I make much less than I did in the US and can’t afford to always be paying the gringo price. The problem though is that I can’t hide the fact that I am a foreigner. Even if my Spanish was good enough, I still have light hair, light skin, and freckles. I stand out and that means I pay more – sometimes a LOT more.

It’s All About Who You Know

I know, I know; this was on the “5 Great Things About South America List” but it’s also one of the things I hate. Moving to South America, being an outsider, a foreigner, has definitely made life a bit more difficult. In the US I knew there was a system; it wasn’t always fair but at least there was a set standard and common set of rules for everyone. Not so in my experiences of living and traveling in South America. When people here don’t know the “rules” they make up rules and unless you know someone higher up, you’re stuck. Not knowing the “right” people has left me scammed and frustrated on more than one occasion. Basically the bureaucratic system seems designed to see you fail.

Import Taxes (Especially on Electronics)

Electronics here are ridiculously expensive and my MacBook Air, even being a bit beat-up and a few years old, could easily cover the cost of a few months of expenses for the average local. Luckily I have never lost it, but back when I first came to South America, I did have to replace my older, much loved and incredibly reliable Dell. Computers (and cameras and most other electronics) in South America are heavily taxed which meant my new computer was going to cost over $1,000 US Dollars more in Colombia than in the US. If you are coming long-term to South America, invest in a new camera, computer, and any other electronic you need and love first.

The Wealth Disparity

South America Travel – Wealth Disparity

Ok, another one related to money – I hate seeing the wealth disparity in South America. It’s extreme and so much more obvious than in most areas of the US. Here people spend $1,000 USD a night on a nice dinner in the major cities but at the same time, right outside, there are people living on the street – whole families. Colombia is actually one of the worst offenders being #3 country in the world for wealth disparity. The result is a negative attitude in the people towards anyone not in their social-economic class.

About Chelsea Schmidt

Chelsea considers herself a "professional" nomad and permanent expat. For the last two and a half years she has been living and traveling in South America. Her passions are food and travel, which she has managed to combine perfectly as she eats her way around the world. Learn more about her on her personal website or on her Google+ page.

Well written! Even though, I haven’t been to South America yet (but planning to), these are the things that I am not looking forward to. However I am afraid it is not the only place on the planet that tourist get scammed, pay more or much more and women get street harassed. It can be pretty frustrating, for example in Vietnam, Morocco or even France.

It’s a shame that we have to face these kind of situations when we want to travel (and not to stay at home wondering how the world outside our living room looks like)…

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I definitely relate to all of these. I have found, though, the longer I’m here, the more people I know and the easier things get. Knowing the right person is unbelievable magic. Just having the right name.

In a way, I understand why people are like that, too. We’ve had some wonderful experiences with people, but we’ve had some really bad ones as well. And this happens to everyone, not just us because we’re extrañeros. That’s why so many, including myself, are reticent to get involved with people they don’t know. I find I do the same now.